Central Europe Preview Section 1: Germany World Geography Today 5/29/2018 Central Europe Preview Section 1: Germany Section 2: The Alpine Countries Section 3: Poland and the Baltics Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary Chapter Wrap-Up Chapter 15

Section 1: Germany Read to Discover What are some key events in the history of Germany? What are some features of German culture? What is Germany’s economy like? What issues and challenges does Germany face today?

Section 1: Germany

Section 1: Germany Germany’s Road to Unification Germanic tribes fight against the Roman Empire. Holy Roman Empire and Hanseatic League control German lands. Germany is divided after World War II. Germany reunites after the fall of communism. Charlemagne begins German unification. Prussia unites northern and southern Germany.

Key Events in German History Section 1: Germany Key Events in German History Charlemagne united German kingdoms in the 700s. Kingdoms became part of Holy Roman Empire. Hanseatic League united northern German towns in 1300s. Prussia and Habsburg Empire influenced German states by 1700s. Germany united in 1871. Germany lost two world wars. Germany divided into Communist East, democratic West. West Germany became an economic power. Germany united in 1990, after fall of communism.

Section 1: Germany Culture German is dominant language, with regional dialects Noted literature, art, and music Protestant majority, large Catholic minority (mostly in south and west) Foods—Pork, sausage, veal, cheese, pastries Increasing concern for the environment

Section 1: Germany Economic Features Powerful Economy—Fourth-largest GDP in the world Investments—Major investors in Central Europe Manufacturing—Machinery, automobiles, electronics, medical equipment, steel, high-tech equipment Mining—Coal, iron ore; Ruhr Valley is a key industrial center Agriculture—Efficient; grains, potatoes, sugar beets

Section 1: Germany Issues and Challenges Population—Aging and immigration are changing society, causing tension; low birthrates, longer life expectancies; most immigrants Turkish or ethnic Germans from the former Soviet Union Former East Germany—Economy and pollution are problems; unemployment high after close of inefficient factories; easterners resentful

Section 2: The Alpine Countries Read to Discover What are some important features of Austria’s history, culture, and economy? What are the political, cultural, and economic features of Switzerland?

Section 2: The Alpine Countries Austria History Part of Holy Roman Empire, then Austrian Empire, then Austro-Hungarian Empire United with Germany in World War II Independent since 1955 Culture German language, Catholic religion Vienna—Key city in Central Europe; famous for architecture and music

Section 2: The Alpine Countries Austria (continued) Economy Various industries—Steel, machinery, chemicals Forestry, hydropower, handicrafts (wood, glass, textile, ceramic), tourism, foreign trade

Section 2: The Alpine Countries Switzerland Swiss states began to ally in late 1200s Independent of Habsburg rule in 1600s Confederation of 26 cantons Neutral—Not part of UN or EU, but site of various international organizations Four major languages—German, French, Italian, Romansh

Section 2: The Alpine Countries Switzerland (continued) Roman Catholic and Protestant High standard of living International banking and insurance Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, watches, farm goods, dairy products, tourism

Section 2: The Alpine Countries Question How do the histories, cultures, governments, and economies of Austria and Switzerland compare?

Section 2: The Alpine Countries Austria Switzerland • Located in Alps, mountainous terrain • Independent since 1600s • Formerly an empire ruled by Habsburgs, who controlled much of Europe • Confederation of 26 cantons • Diverse economies, foreign operations, manufacturing, tourism • Occupied by Germany during World War II, by Allies after war • Politically neutral • Has not joined EU or NATO • Roman Catholicism common • French, Italian, German, Romansh languages common • Democratic republic • German language and cultural influence • Member of the EU • Protestantism common

Section 3: Poland and the Baltics Read to Discover What is the history of Poland and the Baltic countries? What are the urban environments and economy of Poland like today? What influences have shaped culture in the Baltic countries?

Section 3: Poland and the Baltics Question What important events have occurred in the history of Poland and the Baltics?

Section 3: Poland and the Baltics 1700 1900 1950 1990 2000 1700s to 1800s Poland occupied by Russia, Prussia, and Austria; Baltics occupied by Russia. 1910s Poland and Baltics become independent after World War I. 1940s The Soviet Union occupies Poland and the Baltics. 1980s Poland breaks away from communism. 1991 Baltic countries become independent.

Section 3: Poland and the Baltics Polish Cities and Economy Warsaw—Capital and transport hub on Vistula River Kraków—Beautiful medieval city Gdańsk—Main seaport and shipbuilding city Economic progress since end of communism; free-market economy; member of EU Auto and glass factories; weak coal and steel industries Farming in loess soils—Cereals, potatoes, sugar beets

Section 3: Poland and the Baltics Baltic Influences Middle Ages—Balts in Latvia and Lithuania; Finns in Estonia Viking and German invaders influenced Baltic culture Trade brought other foreign influences Estonia—Finnish impact on language, Lutheran religion Latvia—Ties to Sweden Lithuania—Close to Polish culture and Catholic religion Russian minorities maintain customs

Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary Read to Discover What are some similarities and differences in the histories of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary? What are the Czech Republic and Slovakia like today? How has the fall of communism affected Hungary?

Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary World Geography Today 5/29/2018 Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary Comparing Histories Slavic peoples inhabited Czech Republic and Slovakia; non-Slavic Magyars occupied Hungary. All three were part of Austro-Hungarian Empire. After World War I, Czech Republic and Slovakia combined as Czechoslovakia. Czech lands had minerals and industry; Slovakia was agricultural. Soviets set up Communist control over both Czechoslovakia and Hungary. Soviet control ended in the early 1990s, and the Czechs and Slovaks separated into two countries in 1993. Chapter 15

Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary Includes regions of Bohemia and Moravia 40 percent Roman Catholic; similar percentage non-religious Prague—Largest city; rich heritage; modern American influence; on seven hills along the Vltava River Minerals and industry—Coal, iron ore, uranium; steel and glass products Farming of cereals and sugar beets Economic progress slowed in late 1990s Member of NATO and the EU

Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary Poorer country Difficult shift to capitalism; high unemployment Member of the EU Bratislava—Capital and largest city, on Danube River; center of trade, education, and culture Strong folk culture, especially art and music

Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary Question How has Hungary’s government and economy changed since the fall of communism?

Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary Hungary since the Fall of Communism Many people are moving from Budapest to the suburbs. Hungary is a member of NATO and the EU. New industries, foreign investment, and tourists have been attracted to the country. Improvements have been made in rural water and sewage services. Most businesses are now privately owned.

Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas How did World Wars I and II shape the history of Germany? What problems has eastern Germany faced since reunification? Why have many American and Western European companies chosen Austria as a base for their European operations? Why is loess important to Poland’s economy? How does Hungary’s language differ from the languages of neighboring countries?